The New York Yankees have added veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to their organization on a minor league contract, bringing a potential right-handed platoon bat to their Spring Training roster as a non-roster invitee. According to reports from The Yes Network's Jack Curry, the 34-year-old will compete for a spot on manager Aaron Boone's bench during the upcoming exhibition season.
The financial terms of the agreement reveal that Grichuk stands to earn a $2.5 million base salary if he successfully cracks the Yankees' Opening Day roster, as noted by Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This structure allows the Yankees to evaluate Grichuk without committing guaranteed money, while giving the veteran an opportunity to prove his worth during Spring Training.
A Veteran Presence Seeking a Niche Role
Grichuk enters this competition with over a decade of major league experience under his belt. The 11-year MLB veteran has spent time with several organizations throughout his career, most recently splitting the 2024 season between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. However, his performance last year raised some concerns about his current capabilities at the plate.
During the 2024 campaign, Grichuk posted a modest .228/.273/.401 slash line across 293 plate appearances, representing roughly league-average production. His numbers took a noticeable downturn after being traded to Kansas City at the deadline, where he struggled to find his rhythm with the Royals. The concerning aspect for a player being brought in specifically for his platoon splits was his performance against left-handed pitching, where he managed only a .227/.273/.430 line in 183 plate appearances with the platoon advantage.
Historical Success Against Southpaws
Despite last season's struggles, the Yankees' interest in Grichuk becomes clear when examining his track record against left-handed pitching in recent years. From 2022 through 2024, Grichuk was among baseball's most productive hitters in these situations, compiling an impressive .317/.367/.573 slash line against southpaws. Over that three-year span, he connected for 25 home runs, 34 doubles, and four triples in fewer than 500 plate appearances, ranking fifth in MLB in OPS against lefties (minimum 450 plate appearances).
This historical performance explains why the Yankees targeted Grichuk as a potential solution to their search for a right-handed hitting platoon bat. The team had been actively seeking such a player, as reported earlier this week, and Grichuk's pedigree made him an attractive low-risk option who wouldn't require a guaranteed roster spot.
Potential Role and Roster Fit
If Grichuk secures a place on the Yankees' bench, his primary responsibility would likely be serving as a platoon option against left-handed starters. This would specifically impact Trent Grisham's playing time, as Grichuk would draw starts in the corner outfield spot opposite Aaron Judge on days when the Yankees face a lefty. Cody Bellinger, who has demonstrated exceptional ability as a left-on-left hitter, would continue to patrol center field in those matchups.
The addition of Grichuk would have ripple effects throughout the Yankees' roster construction. Top prospect Jasson Domínguez appears destined to begin the season in Triple-A if Grichuk makes the team, barring multiple injuries during Spring Training. This would leave the Yankees with a heavily right-handed bench, featuring Grichuk, Paul Goldschmidt, and Amed Rosario as locks, with backup catcher J.C. Escarra potentially serving as the only left-handed bench bat in that scenario.
The situation becomes more complicated for other players on the roster bubble. Oswaldo Cabrera would likely need to start the season in Triple-A or on the injured list, while out-of-options infielder Jorbit Vivas could find himself traded or placed on waivers to accommodate Grichuk's potential addition.
Contractual Considerations and Opt-Out Clauses
An important aspect of this signing involves Grichuk's status as an Article XX(b) free agent, a designation for veterans who finished the previous season on an MLB roster. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, players in this category who sign non-roster invitations receive three guaranteed opt-out dates: five days before Opening Day, May 1, and June 1.
This structure essentially forces the Yankees to make a decision on Grichuk by the end of Spring Training. If he doesn't break camp with the major league club, he can opt out of the minor league deal and return to free agency, seeking opportunities with other organizations. This creates additional pressure on the Yankees to either commit to Grichuk as part of their Opening Day roster or risk losing him entirely.
Evaluating the Risk-Reward Proposition
The Yankees' pursuit of Grichuk represents a calculated gamble on a player with a proven but recently inconsistent skill set. While his 2024 performance against lefties was underwhelming, his strikeout rate against southpaws climbed nearly seven percentage points from previous seasons, suggesting that his struggles might be correctable with adjustments.
The limited sample size of short-side platoon at-bats during Spring Training presents a challenge for evaluation. The Yankees won't have many opportunities to see Grichuk face left-handed pitching in game situations before making their final roster decision. This leaves the organization with an interesting call to make based on his track record, current form in camp, and the team's specific needs.
Broader Implications for the Yankees' Roster Strategy
This move reflects the Yankees' broader strategy of adding veteran depth with specific skill sets rather than committing to long-term contracts or guaranteed roster spots. Grichuk's potential addition would give manager Aaron Boone a proven weapon against left-handed pitching, something that could prove valuable during the regular season when matchups become crucial.
However, the roster implications extend beyond just the bench composition. The decision on Grichuk will affect the development timeline of Jasson Domínguez, the roster status of several other players, and the team's flexibility throughout the season. With the opt-out clause looming, the Yankees must weigh the immediate benefit of Grichuk's platoon potential against the long-term development of their prospects and roster depth.
Spring Training Outlook
As Grichuk reports to camp as a non-roster invitee, he'll face the challenge of proving he can still perform at a major league level while competing against younger players and established roster members. His experience and historical success against lefties work in his favor, but he'll need to demonstrate that his 2024 struggles were an anomaly rather than a sign of declining skills.
The Yankees, meanwhile, must balance their evaluation of Grichuk with their overall roster construction goals. With multiple players whose status depends on this decision, the outcome of Grichuk's Spring Training performance could set off a chain reaction of roster moves that shape the team's depth chart for the entire season.
For now, both parties have positioned themselves advantageously. Grichuk has a path back to the major leagues with a competitive organization, while the Yankees have added a low-cost, high-upside option who could fill a specific need without requiring a guaranteed commitment. The coming weeks in Spring Training will determine whether this marriage of convenience becomes a long-term arrangement or a brief flirtation that ends with Grichuk exploring other opportunities.